> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # #015: This Week's Base Models Cost More and Give Up More - URL: https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/015-this-weeks-base-models-cost-more-and-give-up-more/ - Published: 2026-10-29T15:10:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-29T15:10:00.000Z - Description: Apple announced four products in three days, and the cheaper MacBook Pro, iMac and iPad mini all start higher than a year ago, each giving up a part you only find on the spec page. Plus: a $2.99 game that turns the iPhone Duo into a toaster. - Author: Justin Scharlemann - Tags: Newsletter, The Cupertino Chronicles, #hero-cinematic | This week in 30 seconds**The news:** Apple announced four products in three days: a touchscreen MacBook Pro ($2,899), an M6 MacBook Pro ($1,999), an M6 iMac ($1,499) and an OLED iPad mini ($699). All four arrive November 6, and iOS 27.2 shipped Monday.**The catch:** All three cheaper models start higher than they did a year ago, and each base configuration gives up a part you only find on the spec page.**Your move:** Buying the $699 iPad mini for Apple's AI features? Only the 512GB model gets the dual Neural Engine, so check that row on apple.com/ipad-mini/specs before you order. | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | Welcome back to The Cupertino Chronicles. Apple announced four products in three days this week. The iPad mini went OLED and picked up an IP67 rating on Monday, the M6 MacBook Pro and iMac followed Tuesday, and on Wednesday Apple put touch on the Mac with [a $2,899 MacBook Pro](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/macbook-pro-touchscreen-proled-xdr/) built around a 2,000 nit tandem OLED screen. Most buyers will start lower on the price list. The [14-inch MacBook Pro with M6](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/macbook-pro-14-inch-m6/) starts at $1,999 with a 1TB SSD; the M5 model launched at $1,599 last fall. The [M6 iMac](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/imac-m6-2026/) starts at $1,499, up from $1,299 before June. The [new iPad mini](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/new-ipad-mini-oled-a20-pro/) is $699, and the model it replaces launched at $499 in 2024. Each base model also gives something up. The $1,999 MacBook Pro runs at 153GB/s of memory bandwidth, short of the 170GB/s in Apple's press release, which only the 24GB and 32GB versions reach. The $1,499 iMac gets a 10 core chip, two Thunderbolt ports and one external display. On the iPad mini, only the 512GB model gets the dual Neural Engine Apple's AI pitch leans on. Apple blamed memory costs when it raised prices in June. This week it kept those prices at the bottom of the lineup and put the best parts one configuration up. Apple reports earnings on Monday, November 2, John Ternus's first call as CEO, and I'd like to hear someone ask him about entry prices. --- ## The $1,999 MacBook Pro Is the One Most People Will Buy *If local AI is why you're buying, 24GB is the configuration that matches Apple's marketing.* [Apple's 14-Inch MacBook Pro Gets M6 and 24-Hour Battery Life, Starting at $1,999M6, up to 24 hours of battery life, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 in the same design. The $1,999 base model has less memory bandwidth than Apple advertises.Tech Between the LinesJustin![](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/content/images/2026/10/mbp-hero-m6-2026.jpg)](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/macbook-pro-14-inch-m6/) Shopping list One tap to vote. Results in next week's issue. Which of this week's launches would you actually buy? [The touchscreen MacBook Pro](https://polls.spectralwebservices.com/v/7f57a13a-685e-4cce-8aa5-4b7836a390b3/p%5F47275e3e/o%5F9d3b0040?m=%%{uuid}%%&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) [An M6 MacBook Pro or iMac](https://polls.spectralwebservices.com/v/7f57a13a-685e-4cce-8aa5-4b7836a390b3/p%5F47275e3e/o%5Fc9328a45?m=%%{uuid}%%&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) [The OLED iPad mini](https://polls.spectralwebservices.com/v/7f57a13a-685e-4cce-8aa5-4b7836a390b3/p%5F47275e3e/o%5F2dccbd2c?m=%%{uuid}%%&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) [Toastie. It's $2.99.](https://polls.spectralwebservices.com/v/7f57a13a-685e-4cce-8aa5-4b7836a390b3/p%5F47275e3e/o%5F8d93d3b8?m=%%{uuid}%%&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) --- | The Fine Print"Splash, water, and dust resistance are not permanent conditions"That footnote sits under the new iPad mini's first IP67 rating. It also says liquid damage isn't covered under warranty. Count on IP67 for a spilled drink or a rainy walk, and dry the mini before you charge it.Every week, one line Apple would rather you skimmed. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- SPONSORED [![CTA Image](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/content/images/2026/10/gear-logitech-mx-keys-s-mac.webp)](https://logitech.cfzu.net/c/4848307/499820/8585?subId1=newsletter&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitech.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fp%2Fmx-keys-s-combo-for-mac&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) Whichever new Mac you pick this week, there's a good chance it spends part of the day closed on a desk. Logitech's MX Keys S Combo for Mac pairs a backlit keyboard in a Mac layout with the MX Master 3S mouse, which tracks on most surfaces, including glass. [Shop the MX Keys S Combo for Mac ](https://logitech.cfzu.net/c/4848307/499820/8585?subId1=newsletter&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.logitech.com%2Fen-us%2Fshop%2Fp%2Fmx-keys-s-combo-for-mac&ref=techbetweenthelines.com) *Sponsored and affiliate links help keep The Cupertino Chronicles free. Partners are picked to fit the issue and never shape what I write.* --- ⚡ ****Quick Hits:** ****Apple Confirms Some Duo Inner Screens Are Cracking:** Apple says a small number of iPhone Duo units have an inner display issue and owners should contact AppleCare for a replacement. [Full story →](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/iphone-duo-screen-cracked-hinge-what-to-do/) ****iOS 27.2 Is Out:** Siri AI now speaks French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish, and Messages Suggestions are back. Siri AI still isn't on iPhone in the EU. [Full story →](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/apple-releases-ios-27-2/) ****iPhone XS and XR Get a Month Old Fix:** iOS 18.7.11 patches a CoreGraphics flaw Apple says may have been exploited, a month after newer iPhones got it. If a relative still uses one, update it this week. [Full story →](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/ios-18-7-11-ios-26-7-2-security-updates/) ****Send Texts From Strangers to Their Own Folder:** Screen Unknown Senders, off by default, keeps fake toll texts off your Lock Screen. It hides behind the Filters button in Messages. [Full story →](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/screen-unknown-senders-messages-iphone/) --- | New · Reader PulseWhen an update breaks something on your iPhone, you can report it on our iOS 27 problems tracker. Reader Pulse is a weekly look at what you sent in and where it went.66reports from you this week11matched a known problem6sent to Apple this weekMost reportedPhotos won't send in Messages WatchingYou flagged it first, on October 22, and it went to Apple through Feedback Assistant on October 27 with five other reader reports, including the slow keyboard and Siri stuck in CarPlay.Something broken after updating? Report it or tap "I have this too" on [the iOS 27 problems tracker](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/ios-27-problems-and-fixes/). | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --- 👁 **One Thing Worth Watching** **Apps built for the fold:** Most iPhone Duo apps treat the hinge as a screen size change. Toastie, a $2.99 grilled cheese game from two friends in Warsaw, makes the fold the controller: build the sandwich open, fold the phone shut to toast it, and open it before it burns. iBeer did the same for the accelerometer in 2008, and the Duo needs more apps like it. [Our Toastie story](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/toastie-iphone-duo-toaster-game/) has the backstory. ![Toastie running on an iPhone Duo](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/content/images/2026/10/toastie-duo-grill.jpg) Fold it shut to toast. Image: Toastie | Pass it on For the friend about to preorder a base model. The Cupertino Chronicles grows one forward at a time. 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[Get The Cupertino Chronicles free](https://www.techbetweenthelines.com/#/portal/signup), plus Should I Update? alerts the day Apple ships. | --- ## Closing Thought Most Macs and iPads sold this holiday will be the cheapest configuration, the one Apple said least about this week. I want to know how you're weighing a base model that costs more and leaves a part out. Which of this week's base models would you buy as is, and which one pushes you up a configuration? Hit reply and tell me. I read every one, and the sharpest answers (first name only, with your OK) run in next week's issue. **Justin** *The Cupertino Chronicles lands every Thursday morning.*